Friday’s Favourite: Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

I was first introduced to Fleetwood Mac by my Mum, who was obsessed with their song “Oh Diane” from their album Mirage, which led to me listening to that particular album by Fleetwood Mac casually for a really long time. My Mum even owned the album on record, so when she gave me her collection I grew more and more familiar with Fleetwood Mac, however, I never really listened to any other of their records (I might have heard “Dreams” a couple of times before, but who knows)
But, one day as luck would have it, I stumbled across Rumours on Spotify (or Apple Music, whatever I was using at that time), gave it a listen and haven’t been the same ever since.Rumours is still Fleetwood Mac’s most popular album to this date and Dreams was their only song to become a Number 1 hit.

It was released in 1977 and it was recorded shortly after the relationships of the couple in the band ended, which explains why breakups are the biggest topic on the album. It’s a classic breakup album, except that the couples are crying about the pain of breaking up together – which can be quite weird if you think about it.
If you don’t think it’s weird, here’s a fun thing to think about: On “Go Your Own Way” Buckingham is addressing his ex when singing “shakin’ up is all you wanna do”, while said ex is harmonizing on the very same song. Now go ahead and tell me that isn’t strange.

In my eyes, it is the perfect breakup album, but even if it’s not needed as such, it’s the greatest mix of upbeat songs that make you bop your head, and slowed down ones.
So if you need an album to get you through your breakup, or just to remind you of how amazing 70’s rock was, this is for you.
Rob Sheffield (who’s one of my favorite music journalists, like ever) wrote in this Rolling Stone Article: “After all the tantrums and breakdowns and crying fits, the album ends with Stevie Nicks asking you point blank: ‘Is it over now? Do you know how to pick up the pieces and go home?’ If the answers are ‘no’ and ‘no,’ you flip the record and play it again.”, and I think it is the best way to describe the therapeutic effect this album can have.